Ida (Pawel Pawlikowski, 2013): Poland, Denmark, France, UK

Reviewed by Phill Hunziker, Viewed at the Lobero Theater, part of the Santa Barbara Film Festival 2015.

My favorite film of the festival. It’s not even close. Flawless. Everything, from the gripping performances given by Agata Trzebuchowska and Agata Kulesza to the outstanding direction, cinematography and soundwork; flawless.

If you found out that everything you knew was essentially a lie, what would you do? Anna was raised in a convent but just recently found out that she is Jewish. Talk about a mindf-

Don’t worry, no curse words here, but there’s a few in this film. Speaking of this film’s words, the script is magnificent, as is the camerawork and the performances of those who speak those magnificent words.

Anybody who claims they love movies needs to see this black and white drama. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be completely blown away. Some of you may be turned off by black and white. Put that aside, because the idea to use black and white for this film was the best idea they could’ve had. The film would lose a lot of it’s luster if it were shot in color. Anyways, what are you waiting for? Go watch this masterpiece!